Choose the Right Car Seat
Choosing the right car seat for your baby or child is extremely important, as it will ensure that your child will be safe and comfortable while travelling. Start with Step 1 below for detailed instructions on buying and installing a car seat.
Contents
[hide]Steps
Buying the Right Car Seat For Your Needs
- Choose an infant car seat if you have a newborn baby. If you have a newborn baby, you should invest in a rear-facing infant car seat. These seats are designed to be safer for babies that weigh between 22 and 35 pounds.
- When sitting in the seat, the baby's head should be at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the side of the seat. If not, the car seat is too small.
- Once the baby weighs more than 35 pounds (or their head is less than 1cm away from the edge of the seat) you will need to upgrade to a bigger car seat.
- Get a convertible car seat that will last from infant to toddler. Convertible car seats are a good option if you plan on using the car seat over a couple of years. They can be converted from a rear-facing seat for small infants (weighing up to 40 pounds) to a front facing seat for older infants and toddlers (weighing up to 70 pounds).
- Keep in mind that it's best to keep the seat in the rear-facing position for as long as possible, as it is the safest option for your child.
- Your child will need to be moved to a bigger seat when the top of their ears is level with the top edge of the seat.
- Go for a belt-positioning booster seat if your child is over four. These car seats are best for children who are over the age of four and weigh at least 40 pounds. They are front-facing and use the car's regular seatbelts to secure the child.
- The child has outgrown their booster seat when the headrest is set to its highest level and the child's shoulders are two inches above the opening of the straps.
- Once the child has outgrown this booster seat, they should be able to sit in the car independently, without the use of a seat.
- Consider getting a car seat that will fit into a baby stroller. Sometimes it's possible to get a baby seat that can easily be removed from the car and attached to a baby stroller. This is very convenient, as you won't need to remove the child from one seat and strap him or her into another. These types of baby seats and strollers are usually sold in a set.
Thinking About Practicalities
- Measure your car so you can buy an appropriately sized seat. It's important to buy a car seat that feats neatly into the back of the car. If the seat is too big you will not be able to secure it properly, which is unsafe for the child. Measure the available space in the back of your car to figure out the maximum possible car seat size.
- If possible, test out the car seat before buying to ensure that it fits comfortably into the back of the car. Most stores will be happy to let you do this.
- Also consider how the size of the seat will affect any other passengers. If you need to fit two more children into the back of the car, you will not want a car seat that takes up too much space and makes them uncomfortable.
- Shop around to find a good deal. Shop around before buying a car seat to ensure that you find the right one for your needs, at the best possible price. Go to a number of stores to compare car seat styles and prices.
- Figure out if you're eligible for any discounts or if you have any coupons that you could use at a particular store.
- Shopping online is another option, but it's usually best to see the car seat in person and test to make sure that it fits into your car before you buy. If you do decide to buy online, make sure you check out customer ratings and reviews before you order.
- Another good option is to find the car seat that you like in a store (where you can test it out) then see if you can find the exact same car seat online, at a cheaper price.
- Look for a seat that is easy to carry. When buying an infant car seat, look for one that will be easy to carry. This is important, as you will spend the next few months carrying your baby in and out of your house, into stores and to visit family and friends.
- To test out the seat, place something heavy (like a stack of books) into the seat and try carrying it around the store for a few minutes. This will give you a good indication of whether it's comfortable and easy to carry.
- Consider what type of material is covering the seat. What type of material the car seat is made from is another important consideration. Ideally, you should choose something natural and breathable, like cotton. This will prevent the child from getting too hot and sweaty in their seat.
- Additionally, you should choose a material that is smooth and easy to clean. Anything that has grooves or rough weaving (like corduroy) will trap dirt and be more difficult to clean.
- Test out the seat before buying to make sure your baby/child is comfortable. It's a good idea to place your baby or child in the seat before buying to make sure they are secure and comfortable in it. There are several things you should look for:
- The baby/child should not be bent or hunched over when the straps/belts have been secured.
- The baby/child should be able to move their arms and legs, but in a limited fashion.
- The baby/child should be sitting upright, rather than tilted to one side.
Ensuring the Car Seat is Safely Installed
- Read the car seat instructions before installing. Make sure that you read the instructions that come with the car seat thoroughly before you attempt to install the seat. This will help you to understand the correct installation method and save you time.
- If you cannot follow the instructions or they seem too complicated, ask a friend, family member or even a salesperson at the place where you bought the seat to install the car seat for you.
- Do not risk installing the car seat incorrectly, as this could put your child's life at risk in the case of an accident
- Ensure that the seat is held firmly in place with the seat belt. Most car seats are secured into the correct position using the car's own seatbelt. The seatbelt usually needs to pass through the base of the seat in a specific way. When installing the car seat, make sure the belt follows the correct path. If it is positioned correctly, you should not be able to move the seat more than an inch in any direction.
- Check the seat straps to make sure they are positioned correctly. Check to see whether the car seat's own straps are routed through the right holes, in the right order and in the right direction. If not, there should be diagrams in the instructions to show you how to set them up. Test the position of the straps by placing your child into the seat and looking for the following:
- Make sure the straps are tight, but not so tight that they are digging in or causing the child to be hunched over. You should be able to adjust the tightness of the straps easily.
- Make sure that the straps follow the correct path, over the child's shoulders and between his or her legs. Make sure that the shoulder straps go across the child's chest and not across his or her neck.
- Test whether you can easily buckle and unbuckle the child from their seat. Try buckling and unbuckling the child several times until you get the hang if it. This is important, in case you need to remove the child from the seat in a hurry.
- However, it's important that the seat is not so easy to unbuckle that the child can do it themselves. This could be very dangerous if the child were to unbuckle themselves while the car was in motion.
- Opt for car seats that have two-piece retainer clips, as these are harder to release and your child will not be able to open it by his or herself.
- Learn how to change the position of the car seat. Get to know your car seat by practicing how to change it's position. Learn how to adjust the head rest and the straps, practice lifting the seat in and out of the car and be familiar with how to switch the seat from rear-facing to front facing (if you have that kind of seat). Knowing exactly how you child's car seat works will make your life much easier over the coming months/years.
- Check the history of the car seat. If you opt for a used car seat, which you've bought second-hand or borrowed from a family member, make sure to check it for damage and ask the previous owner if it was involved in any road accidents in the past. It's extremely important to be aware of any damage the car seat may have sustained.
Tips
- Use rolled-up blankets or towels to create pads around the baby in the infant car seat, if the seat is slightly too big. This helps to prevent movement and increase the baby's comfort.
References
- http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/carseat/choose.shtml
- https://www.mbeans.com/blogs/blog/5-things-to-consider-when-choosing-an-infant-car-seat
- http://www.babycenter.com/0_car-seat-safety-how-to-choose-and-use-a-car-seat_399.bc?page=2
- http://www.parents.com/baby/safety/car/8-tips-for-choosing-a-childs-car-seat/